downtown Eugene

At just about a year since its formation, the Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network or “RAIN” in Eugene is thriving.

RAIN Eugene is a collaboration of the Chamber of Commerce, the Cities of Eugene and Springfield and the University of Oregon. It strives to help startups launch and generate local jobs and growth. Sixteen companies have completed the program. Only a couple of those have closed. Most are looking for partners, funding or to hire employees. Chief Startup Officer Joe Maruschak (MARUSE-CHECK) says momentum is building.

The Eugene Hotel turns 90 this year. The historic building is now a retirement facility, but spent decades as a premier facility for local events and a stopover for movie stars and dignitaries. KLCC's Desmond O'Boyle interviews Judi Jackson, the General Manager of the Eugene Hotel.

The City of Eugene has coordinated a pilot project to bring high-speed fiber optic cable to three buildings downtown. Two were connected last week.

Fiber optic lines already span much of Eugene. The schools, the city, and major medical facilities have it. But a lot of other fiber is “dark.” It hasn’t been taken from its source to people who would use it. The city spent 100-thousand dollars to help light some of the dark cable, hoping to attract and retain businesses downtown. Economic Development Planner Anne Fifield says it’s not just tech companies who can benefit:

A controversial tax exemption program for housing in downtown Eugene has been suspended since 2013. Yesterday (Wednesday), the City Council voted to let the public comment on its amended version of the multi-unit property tax exemption, or MUPTE, program.

Eugene will soon be home to a Whole Foods Market. The Austin-based company made the announcement Wednesday during its quarterly earnings call.

The 33,000 square foot store will be located on the corner of East Broadway and High Street in downtown Eugene. That's the same spot Whole Foods wanted to build a store several years ago but the deal didn't work out.

The store is set to open in the first half of 2016. The company says this will bring an estimated 150 new jobs to the area. It will be the 9th Whole Foods in Oregon.

The design phase is moving forward to develop the “Market Street District” on 6th Street in downtown Eugene. Friday marked the first of three public input sessions.

The two-acre site stretches from Oak to Pearl, across from the Fifth Street Market. Developers envision the area as a mix of retail and housing. Some of the units will be available at below market rates. Steve Ochs is with the Housing and Community Services Agency or HACSA.

In Lane County, there are no trams, trolleys, or subways. Mass transit means busing. Every week day, an average of 43,000 riders board Lane Transit District buses. The men and women who drive those buses see and hear all kinds of things. They get to know their daily commuters. Bus drivers do tell tales. Here are a few.